Kamakura & Kawagoe

Easy daytrips from Tokyo, Kamakura and Kawagoe have beautiful architecture and unique sites. I loved Kamakura for how easy it was to navigate and explore. Kawagoe has a sweets street with gorgeous handmade candies too! Both can be done in a single day from Tokyo via the trains.

A troupe performs for Golden Week in Kawagoe

Cities all over Japan were in celebration during last month's Golden Week celebrations. Wandering the streets on a day trip to Kawagoe, I heard the deep heartbeat of drums from the street. This elaborate platform and small troupe were wedged into a narrow street passage. I love that they managed to make such a beautiful stage on the small platform, and that there is the very Japanese pile of neatly situated shoes next to the ladder.